Def Leppard to Record Las Vegas ‘Hysteria’ Shows for Live Album

In another ten days time, British classic rock band Def Leppard will become residents of Las Vegas. The acclaimed group is getting set to launch their 'Viva! Hysteria and More' show a 11-date run at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Sin City.

In an interview with Classic Rock Revisited, singer Phil Collen says that Def Leppard will serve as their own opening act during their Las Vegas residency, playing two sets of music per night.

"We are going to do 'Hysteria'from start to finish," Collen tells the site. "We are actually doing two sets; we are going to open up for ourselves. We are going to do 45 minutes, take a break and then do 'Hysteria'. We are learning hundreds of songs and we are going to be doing songs that we’ve not played in years, or that we’ve never done. It is going to be really great."

Collen says that the group will be recording the shows for a future live release which he calls 'Hysteria Live'. He does not share anything further in the way of information concerning the release such as when the album might see the light of day. Still, he insists that, even with half of the setlist already written, the Vegas shows will contain plenty of surprises.

"The first set will never be the same; we will change it every night," he adds. "They will all be Def Leppard songs. We may play songs that we’ve covered of other people. It is going to be very fun for us. We are not sure what we are going to play. We are digging stuff up from the first album and the second album and we are just going to really do a lot of stuff that the fans will love."

Released in August 1987, 'Hysteria' remains Def Leppard's best-selling album therefore hearing the news that the group will be revisiting the record in its entirety should not come as a surprise. The record is certified by the R.I.A.A. for sales of more than 12 million in the United States alone with more than a reported 20 million sold worldwide.